Dave Grohl yesterday told the Observer of how he and ex-Nirvana bandmates revisited Smells Like Teen Spirit for the first time in 17 years. Grohl, along with former Nirvana members Krist Novoselic were rehearsing for an upcoming Foo Fighters performance with the Grohl behind the drum kit, Novoselic on bass and Smear on guitar when Novoselic asked the duo if they wanted to play some old material. “You want to run through some old material”, Krist said according to Grohl. “Me and Pat looked at each other. I mean, that was something I’ve never considered before. I was like okay!”
The trio launched into Smells Like Teen Spirit, one of the most iconic rock n’ roll riffs of the past two decades. “I haven’t played that drumbeat in 17 years. It was like a ghost, it was heavy”, continued Grohl. Nobody sang, and the only other witness to this moment was the very, very lucky studio manager.